PhysAgeNet Deliverable D4.4 Report on PhysAgeNet research and impact, including implementation of measures to maximize impact
Abstract
Network on evidence-based physical activity in old age (PhysAgeNet) The deliverable is a main outcome of the COST Action CA20104 - Network on evidence-based physical activity in old age (PhysAgeNet). The main aim and objective of the Action is to establish a sustainable network fostering evidence-based research and practice of physical activity in older adults and enhancing integration of innovative ICT solutions based on open data consolidated research information, in order to promote health and reduce the burden of inactivity in ageing populations. Working Group 4 (WG4) The objectives of the WG are 1. to develop the network in terms of full European coverage, age and gender balance, necessary disciplines, relevant stakeholder and external expert collaborations; 2. to make the network sustainable beyond the COST Action in terms of structure, management and finances; 3. to establish the results of the other Working Groups in appropriate and sustaining formats. The WG4 tasks can be structured in the following: T4.1 Establish internal communication (contact and mailing lists, reporting and planning schedules) of all network activities, continuous screening of all minutes / reports for ad-hoc and strategic dissemina- tion and exploitation. T4.2 Create and provide promotion material and dissemination channels, to be used by all network members on the occasion of their own conference visits, projects, teaching, including a yearly public newsletter T4.3 Explore requirements and opportunities for perpetuating the network partly or as a whole (e.g. collaboration and connection with universities, other networks or societies, business), including sus- tainability strategy and action planning, stakeholder analysis and balanced scorecard T4.4 Implement and further develop the measures to maximise impact (2.2, 3.2), including funding proposals (3.2) T4.5 Conduct a consensus process on the progress beyond initial topical status and needs update.
Full text
CA20104 – Network on evidence-based physical activity in old age (PhysAgeNet) Deliverable D4.4 D4.4 Report on PhysAgeNet research and impact, including implementation of measures to maximize impact CBO3 Contributors Working Group 4 Signe Tomsone (Associate Professor/WG4 leader), Jonathan Gómez-Raja (Chief Scientific Officer/WG4 vice-leader), David Paar (Associate Professor/WG4 member)
1. INTRODUCTION PhysAgeNet (COST Action CA20104) is a European network focused on promoting evidence-based physical activity in older adults. The network integrates interdisciplinary research and practice across Europe, aiming to enhance health outcomes and reduce inactivity-related burdens through innovative ICT solutions and open data frameworks. The specific objective of this report addresses PhysAgeNet Capacity Building Objective 3 (CBO 3), which focuses on identifying and addressing research questions to foster new research proposals. The report's purpose is to evaluate the PhysAgeNet impacts achieved, and the measures used to maximize them. 2. RESULTS 2.1. An evaluation of impacts achieved Defined in MoU Communication channels, actions performed, relevant project outputs Accelerate sharing of knowledge and experiences on current gaps and needs Activities within network – Conferences (2), Short-Term Scientific Missions/ STSMs (21), ITC grants (17), Virtual Mobility Grants/ VM (90), YRI = 4 (type of grant was added by COST-GP4), VNS = 4, collaboration with other COST Actions (DE-PASS, PROGRAMMING) Raise attention to knowledge gaps Activities within networkconferences (2), STSMs (3), ITC grants (9), VM (36) Spreading of knowledge about healthy ageing research concepts and research methods Training schools (3): GP2: From narrative to systematic living review (Kaunas, Lituania) GP3: Artificial Intelligence meets Physical Activity (Ankara, Turkey) GP4: Evidence-Based Physical Activity in Older Age: Strengthening and Disseminating Research Design Standard (Gdansk, Poland) 3 Webinars (planned October 2025) Collaboration with other COST Actions (DE-PASS, PROGRAMMING) Publications (17 peer-reviewed) Enhanced cooperation between basic research and applied research Proposals and Projects resulting from Action networking: 13+
Building a data registry , fostering big data approaches, and integrating AI-based analysis tools D1.1. Database with references and metadata related to PA interventions and based on EBM D2.1. Compendium of legal, ethical and resource aspects for open data repositories. D2.2. Scientific literature status, requirements, and roadmap for the development of standards and utilisation of biomarkers, behavioural markers and environmental factors with open data. D2.3. Open data framework including PA intervention and multiple data sources and biomarkers D2.4. Demonstrator (prototype) of the repository including real data from technology-assisted PA interventions. Developing platforms for implementation of individual training FiT4Alz Fitness for Alzheimer, ERASMUS+ SPORT funded project, proposer Ana Filipa Silva (Portugal) Accelerate application of AI capabilities in PA training programs for older adults as a means to improve intervention outcomes within populations with diverse needs towards the development of tailored PA training Training School (GP3): Artificial Intelligence meets Physical Activity (Ankara, Turkey) Promoting public health Contribution of network members to public health policy and activitiesnetwork members as experts have served to various activities on national and international level. Relations with stakeholders described in D4.2. Facilitating the collaboration between members of the network Sharing the information about the project calls and interests for cooperation on network internal communication channels. Proposals and Projects resulting from Action networking (13+), Publications (17), Conferences (2), STSMs (21), ITC grants (17), VM (90). 2.2. An evaluation of measures used to maximize the impact Defined in MoU Communication channels, actions performed, relevant project outputs Knowledge creation D2.2. Scientific literature status, requirements, and roadmap for the development of standards and utilisation of biomarkers, behavioural markers and environmental factors with open data.
Transfer of knowledge & career development WGs meetings STSMs (21) Virtual mobility (90) Training schools (3) Conferences (PhysAgeNet & EGRAPA) (2) ITC grants (17) Webinars (October 2025) Knowledge dissemination and exploitation SciCom plan D4.1. Design and set up of standard tools for internal and external communication, including logo, website and social media accounts. D4.2. Stakeholder Analysis Matrix, containing a list of stakeholders, their interests and influence on the topic. Horizon Results Booster (HRB) Module APortfolio of Research and Innovation Results Project Group: PhysAgeNet – CA20104 , DE-PASSCA19101 and PROGRAMMINGCA21122 PhysAgeNet website: https://physagenet.eu/ Other communication channels: https://www.linkedin.com/company/physagenet-costaction/posts/?feedView=all https://x.com/physagenet Publications (17), see Apendix 1 Local actvities of network members: presentations and workshops with different stakeholders, open sessions during PhysAgeNet MC and WG meetings. Local actvities of network members: presentations and workshops with different stakeholders, open sessions during PhysAgeNet MC and WG meetings. 2.3. Proposals and Projects resulting from PhysAgeNet activities This section represents identified research questions regarding the present needs and addressing them through special interest groups and resulting in the project applications involving network members.
Nr. Title Name and country of main proposer Numb er of proposers Action participants listed among the proposers (Name and Country) Action participant s from outside academia among the proposers * (select YES, NO) Funder * (select Horizon, Other EU, TransNational, National, Industry, Other) Amount request ed / granted in EURO Call identifier Year submitt ed) Result * (Select: under evaluatio n, under negotiati on, funded, not finded, other 1 EnRICH-HABITS: EmpoweRIng Citizens to adopt Healthy lifestyle Habits: A data-enaBled communItybased ciTizen Science approach Erja Portegijs (Netherland s) 4 Erja Portegijs (NL) Paolo Caserotti (DK) Signe Tomsone (LV) No [ZonMw, Innovation Fund Denmark & Latvian Council of Science] umbrella of ERA4Health Partnership (GA N° 101095426 of Horizon Europe Research & Innovation Programme ). 839.704 € Era4Health Health Equity 2023 Funded 2 MOBIlité des séniors: entrainement COgnitif et Musculaire,étud e des médiateurs neurobiologiques (MOBICOM) Antoine Langegard (France) 2 Antoine Langegard (FR) Evrim Gökce (TR) No Other (Université de Caen Normandy) 80. 000 € (18 month salary) FINANCEME NT DE JEUNES CHERCHEURS – 2023 2023 Funded 3 FiT4Alz Fitness for Alzheimer Ana Filipa Silva (Portugal) 5 Ana Filipa Silva (IT), Yes ERASMUS+ SPORT 40.0000 € 101090386 — Fit4Alz 2022 Funded 4 Investigation of Physiological Biomarkers in Assessment of the Effects of ComputerBased Exercise on Muscle Veysel Alcan (Turkey) 2 Veysel Alcan (TR) Fatma Kübra Cekok (TR) No TNational: arsus University Scientific Research Projects 1.413 € MF23.001 2023 Funded
Performance in Older People Funding 5 Feasibility of Using Smartphone Applications for Promoting Active Aging Tiia Kekäläinen (Finland) 2 Tiia Kekäläinen (FL) Michael Brach (DE) No WiRe Womenin Research Fellowship Programme , University of Münster 7.700 € n.A 2023 Funded 6 Evaluation of the Effects of Exergame Exercises on Improving Balance and Foot Muscles in the Elderly Using Surface EMG and Postural Sway Analysis Veysel Alcan (TR) 4 Veysel Alcan (TR) Fatma Kübra Çekok (TR) Kutluk Bilge Arıkan (TR) Ayşenur Çekok (TR) NO TÜBİTAK (Scientific and Technologi cal Research Council of Türkiye) 2515 - COST Action Members R&D Support Program 53.333 € 124E885 2024 Funded 7 Agewell Europe Diane Cooper (Irland) 5 Michael Brach (DE) YES EU - Erasmus 400000€ 2023-1-IE01KA220-ADU000159356 2023 Funded 8 AI-Driven EEG Analysis for Migraine Sufferers Salvatore Tedesco (Ireland) IE, TR Other EUfunding 42000 € INFRACHIP (European Research Infrastructur e on Semiconduct or Chips) 2023 Funded 1 European Fitness Monitoring System for 65plus Patrick Esser (United Kingdom) 6 Patrick Esser (United Kingdom) Stevo Popovic (Montenegr o) Iuliia Pavlova (UA) Yes (ESENIORS: INITIATION DES SENIORS AUX NTIC ASSOCIATI ON EU - Erasmus 400000 € ERASMUSSPORT-2023 2024 Not funded 2 EUFITMOS 65plus 6 7 Patrick Esser (UK) No EUErasmus 450,000 ERASMUSSPORT-2024 2024 Not funded
Iuliia Pavlova (UA) 3 EUFITMOS 65plus Iuliia Pavlova (Ukraine) 6 Iuliia Pavlova (UA) Patrick Esser (UK) Stevo Popovic (Montenegr o) No EU – Erasmus 400.000 € ERASMUSSPORT-2025 2025 Not funded 4 Database fo Saudi Seniors Shaea Alkahtani (Saudi Arabia) 2 Shaea Alkahtani (SA) Michael brach (DE) No Internation al Scientific Partnership Program 70.000 KSI-ISPP-277 2025 Not funded 5 Living Review TBA Michal Brach (Germany) Patrick Esser (United Kingdom) Michael Brach (DE) Patrick Esser (UK) EU – COST - CIG 125000 € n.A. 2024 Not funded 2.4. PhysAgeNet outcomes for scientific and societal impact in longterm To support the long-term impact and sustainability of the PhysAgeNet network, Working Group 4 (WG4) developed a targeted survey aimed at gathering ideas, priorities, and strategic directions from its members. The survey was designed to capture diverse perspectives across disciplines, career stages, and countries, and was distributed via an online form of WG4 Sustainability Survey. Most important outcomes from PhysAgeNet with potential for scientific and societal impact in long-term: Guidelines for Research: - Framework for research improvement - Recruitment guidelines - Reporting guidelines
Guidelines for Interventions: - Guidelines and framework for designing technology-assisted PA interventions - Intervention programs implementing evidence-based PA interventions in older adults - Guidelines for conducting physical activity programs Education and Public Awareness: - Importance of technology-assisted physical activity (TA PA) - Diversity of the older population in TA PA interventions Platforms for collecting: - Best methods and practices. - Evidence from different cultures and countries - Open data structure, including PA intervention and multiple data sources and biomarkers - Exercise protocols for older people with chronic diseases - Research outcomes dissemination Sustainability of the Network: - Collaborations and partnerships to drive research and innovation in ageing - Expertise of network members - Collaboration in PhD supervisions - Joint publications New project proposals: - Information exchange and awareness of different funding options - Development of innovative technologies to support PA in older age ANNEX 1. CO-AUTHORED ACTION PUBLICATIONS – PEER REVIEW. (PUBLISHED)
N r. Title First Author, Yeal DOI/ISSN Link Type Journal Subject (2) COST Acknowledge ment Included? (2) COST Funds Used for Publication? 1 Evidence-based yet still challenging! Research on physical activity in old age Michael Brach (2023) 10.1186/s11556-02300318-3 Link Commen tary BMC Springer Geriatric s and Geronto logy (2) Yes (2) No 2 Effect of physical activity interventions on quality of life in older adults: a protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis Nicola Lamberti (2023) 10.1097/MD.000000 0000031801 Link Protocol Medicine General Medicin e (2) Yes (2) Yes 3 Myokines as mediators of exercise-induced cognitive changes in older adults: protocol for comprehensive living systematic review and metaanalysis Wouter Vints (2023) 10.3389/fnagi.2023.1 213057 Link Protocol Frontiers Cognitiv e Neurosci ence; Aging (2) Yes (2) Yes 4 Effects of chronic physical exercise on executive functions and episodic memory in clinical and healthy older adult populations: a systematic review and metaanalysis protocol Soledad Ballestero s (2024) 10.1186/s13643-02402517-0 Link Protocol BMC Springer Disease d older adults (2) Yes (2) Yes 5 Role of sex and training characteristics on exercise effects on cardiovascular aging: protocol for Emmanuel Gomes Ciolac (2024) 10.1186/s13643-02402644-8 Link Protocol BMC Springer Exercise, Cardiova scular ageing (2) Yes (2) Yes